The finalists for the 2016 James Beard Foundation Awards were announced last week and we are excited to have two local chefs on the ticket for the Best Chef: Midwest category. Only five are named to the category and Sidney Street Cafe and Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.’s Kevin Nashan was named as well as Farmhaus chef-owner Kevin Willmann. This is the first time Willmann is nominated as a finalist for the award. The results will come at the 2016 James Beard Awards Gala on May 2 in Chicago.

Photo courtesy of Porano Pasta

Starting tonight, you can enjoy Porano Pasta for dinner seven days a week. The fast-casual Italian restaurant from James Beard-winning chef-owner Gerard Craft is celebrating Porano’s new hours by offering a dinnertime “Bowl and a Beer” special from 5-9pm. Guests can order any Porano bowl (one protein, two toppings) and a pint of The Civil Life Brewing Company’s Porano Ale for $11. And as if that wasn’t exciting enough, the first 100 guests will also be able to take home their Civil Life pint glass. Porano will be open from 11am-9pm Sunday-Thursday and 11am-10pm Friday and Saturday. 634 Washington Ave., Downtown, 314.833.6414

Another local restaurant is expanding its territory. Guerilla Street Food is preparing to open a second location in Chicago. As reported by Sauce Magazine, co-owners Brian Hardesty and Joel Crespo have been making plans to expand for some time and there is no end in sight, as the duo is also planning to open up shop in up to eight more cities in the future. 3559 Arsenal St., Tower Grove South, 314.529.1328

In case you missed it, Juniper debuted a new menu to guests last week. The Southern Table & Bar now offers items such as their take on the BLT with house-made bacon, compressed tomatoes and green goddess dressing. Other new offerings include sweetbreads in buffalo bourbon sauce and their classic favorites, like the return of the low country boil Frogmore stew. 360 N. Boyle Ave., Central West End, 314.329.7696

St. Louis natives Jason Willenbrock and his wife, Ana, are introducing their hometown to Posh Chocolat, the duo’s sweet line of confections in their current community in Montana. Chocolate-lovers can now enjoy Posh Chocolat locally at Straub’s Markets, which will offer artisan caramels, truffles and Easter eggs for the holiday.